Jimmy Hansra steps down as Canada captain

Jimmy Hansra, the Canada batsman, has stepped down as captain of the national team. He had succeeded Ashish Bagai after the 2011 World Cup but the results were poor - Canada lost each of his four ODIs as captain. Hansra, who was Canada's second highest run-getter at the World Cup, averaging 43, resigned to concentrate more on his batting. A replacement, the Canada board said, will be announced shortly.

"In my short stay as captain, I have thoroughly enjoyed the role and have learned a lot in a very short time," Hansra said. "It has helped me grow as a cricketer and as an individual. However, looking ahead and putting cricket in front, I believe I need to focus on my game more and I can offer more to Cricket Canada as a player at this moment than a captain.

"Jimmy conveyed to us after the Caribbean T20 tournament his wish to stand down from the captaincy," Cricket Canada vice-president Vimal Hardat said. "While we asked him to reconsider we accept his decision and look forward to his future contributions to our organisation."

Hansra, 27, has played 17 ODIs and averages 31.41. He is part of Canada's squad for the World Twenty20 qualifiers that begin on March 13 in the UAE. The 14-man squad will be heading to Sri Lanka for a preparatory camp before leaving for the UAE.